HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College field hockey team started off the 2015 season in style as it defeated the Cabrini Cavaliers at Swan Field, 6-0 on Tuesday afternoon. Four different Fords scored for the home team in the win.
The Cavaliers pushed the offensive pace in the early portion of the contest with two straight shots, including one that was blocked off a penalty corner. Cabrini added another shot in the 12th minute, but junior goalkeeper Lindsey Lopes recorded her second straight save.
Haverford's attack kicked into gear in the 13th minute with three consecutive shot attempts, two of which were blocked. Senior captain Sarah Waldis brought the ball into the circle and shot it past the Cabrini goaltender to give Haverford an early 1-0 lead at the 14:17 mark.
Seven minutes later, senior captain Brenna Boehman fired a shot into the circle that was deflected by Waldis and knocked in by sophomore Paige Carson to make it 2-0 Fords. Two goals by sophomore Elena Veale sandwiched a penalty shot goal by junior Natalie Leslie to put the Fords ahead 5-0 as the first 35 minutes came to a close.
Leslie added her career-high second goal of the game in second stanza to cap the scoring. The Fords finished the victory with 20 shots, 13 on goal, while the Cavaliers had 13 shots and five reach the goalkeeper. Veale led all players with five shots on goal along with tying her career high in goals, while Leslie, Waldis and freshman Mason McNulty also tallied two shots each. Lopes secured three saves in the first half before junior Abby Frerotte nabbed two in the second half of action. Taylor Bookman took loss for Cabrini after allowing five goals in the first half.
Head coach Jackie Cox's squad has now won three of its last four games at Swan Field dating back to last season. Today was also the Fords' first season-opening victory since 2012 and first against Cabrini since 2006. Haverford is 11-4 all-time against Cabrini.
The Fords will now head on the road for two straight games beginning with No. 13 Messiah on Saturday (1 p.m.). They will then have three straight contests at Swan Field with Lebanon Valley starting that stretch next Saturday (Sept. 12).